Arthritis in Belgrade: When This Treatment Fits
For arthritis in the knee, hand, shoulder or another joint, PRP and SVF cell therapy form one part of care — starting with a doctor's review of your tests
No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
Own tissue — your blood and adipose tissue
Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Free consultation
and review of your scans
What is arthritis
and when does this treatment fit?
An inflamed joint is the core of arthritis. Look for pain at night or when resting, stiffness in the morning for longer than half an hour, swelling, and a joint that is red and warm. The cause can be autoimmune (rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis), gout, infection or a long-past injury.
Reducing inflammation and pain and supporting the tissues in the joint is what PRP and SVF can offer — not a replacement for rheumatology care of a systemic disease. With an active joint infection or a severe flare the procedure waits: first the doctor confirms the arthritis type and selects the moment.
No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Free consultation and review of your scans
Joints we treat
Large and small joints are treated, with the doctor choosing the joint, method and number of injections based on your scans
Elbow
Pain following overuse or sports strain, along with worn joint surfaces
Hand and wrist joints
Small finger and wrist joints that feel stiff and hurt
Knee
Cartilage that has worn, meniscus trouble, pain after walks and on stairs
Hip
Early hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
Ankle
Pain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries
Shoulder
Worn joint and nearby tendons, and pain when the arm is raised
Methods we use
Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue
The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) — a blend of cells involved in repairing tissue — is isolated by processing a small sample of your adipose tissue. Mixed with your own plasma, it goes into the affected joint by injection.
In cases of inflammatory arthritis it comes in once the acute flare has eased, for its effect on local inflammation and repair of tissue.
PRP — platelet-rich plasma from your own blood
A small amount of your blood is used to separate plasma rich in platelets and growth factors, which is then injected into the joint. It helps settle inflammation and gives tissue repair better conditions.
As a single element of the wider plan, it can be advised in rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis.
How the procedure goes: step by step
Consultation and scan review
The doctor examines the joint, reviews your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides whether the procedure suits you. If you already have scans, you can send them before the visit.
Blood sample for PRP
A little blood is drawn from a vein, and from it platelet-rich plasma containing growth factors is later prepared.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
With local anaesthetic, a small amount of adipose tissue — about 30 ml — is collected through a puncture on the inner thigh or abdomen, and no stitches are required.
Processing in a centrifuge
The sample goes into a centrifuge and separates into layers; next, the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and combined with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
The prepared material is injected directly into the affected joint under ultrasound guidance, which helps place it precisely.
Follow-up
There are no crutches and no hospital stay. After the procedure the doctor keeps in touch and follows how the joint responds.
Consultation and scan review
The doctor examines the joint, reviews your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides whether the procedure suits you. If you already have scans, you can send them before the visit.
Blood sample for PRP
A little blood is drawn from a vein, and from it platelet-rich plasma containing growth factors is later prepared.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
With local anaesthetic, a small amount of adipose tissue — about 30 ml — is collected through a puncture on the inner thigh or abdomen, and no stitches are required.
Processing in a centrifuge
The sample goes into a centrifuge and separates into layers; next, the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and combined with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
The prepared material is injected directly into the affected joint under ultrasound guidance, which helps place it precisely.
Follow-up
There are no crutches and no hospital stay. After the procedure the doctor keeps in touch and follows how the joint responds.
Follow-up visits
The plan is adjusted at follow-up visits, where the doctor sees how the joint responds: pain tends to ease over the first month, mobility to improve over about three months, and the full effect to develop over roughly six months.
Conditions we treat
A doctor decides whether the treatment suits you after examining you and reviewing your scans
What we work with
Arthritis
Arthrosis
Avascular necrosis
Osteoarthritis
Gonarthrosis (knee osteoarthritis)
Coxarthrosis (hip osteoarthritis)
Meniscus pathology and injury
Rehabilitation after injuries and surgery
Inflammatory joint conditions
Contraindications
Cancer
Pregnancy
Blood clotting disorders
Acute infections, including infection in or near the joint
Flare-up of a serious chronic illness
Cancer
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Serious heart, kidney or liver disease
Temporary contraindications: a cold or flu, a fever, or inflamed skin over the joint that is to be treated
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
After the procedure
Most people are home the same day and back to their usual routine within a day or two, the puncture sites covered with small dressings. The joint may ache a little more during the first week, as expected. Over the first month the pain usually eases, over about three months mobility and activity improve, and the full effect builds over around six months. How long it holds varies individually with the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors, so no fixed result can be promised. If a rheumatologist treats you, do not drop your prescribed medication without consulting them.
Why patients choose City Medical Centre
Treatment without surgery: our work is about keeping your own joint, not replacing it
Your own tissue
Only your own blood and adipose tissue are used — no donor or synthetic material
No crutches
Small punctures, not incisions, a local anaesthetic and no lengthy rehabilitation
Second opinion
Share your X-rays, MRI or reports and get a doctor's independent assessment at no cost
Support after the procedure
Staying in touch after the procedure, we follow the outcome and not only the injection day
Arthritis treatment prices
After the consultation the doctor names the cost, which depends on the joint, the arthritis type and the method
Service
Price
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Joint treatment: frequently asked questions
What is arthritis and what are its symptoms?
Arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease. You may have pain at night or at rest, morning stiffness for longer than 30 minutes, swelling, and redness and warmth over the joint. The causes include infections, gout, psoriasis and autoimmune conditions, rheumatoid arthritis among them.
Can PRP help with rheumatoid arthritis?
It does not replace the treatment prescribed by your rheumatologist, but PRP can complement it: in rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis it may help reduce local inflammation, pain and swelling, as platelet growth factors influence the immune response and tissue repair.
Can psoriatic arthritis be cured?
Regenerative injections can be one part of the plan for psoriatic arthritis — a chronic disease that cannot currently be cured completely, where the aim is long remission, controlled inflammation and no joint deformity.
How does SVF work in autoimmune arthritis?
SVF contains cells that can modulate the local immune response and support the repair of damaged tissue in the joint. Research in this area is ongoing, so the doctor will discuss realistic expectations for your type of arthritis.
When is the treatment not suitable?
It is not carried out during pregnancy, a severe flare or an active joint infection, nor with cancer or blood clotting disorders. In these situations the doctor postpones it or suggests something else.
How is knee arthritis different from osteoarthritis?
An autoimmune reaction, infection or gout can inflame the knee — that is knee arthritis, with redness, warmth, marked swelling and tenderness to touch. Osteoarthritis is cartilage wear, usually noticed as a dry crunch and aching pain when the knee moves.
Why does an arthritic joint hurt even at rest?
PRP, SVF and other treatment aimed at reducing inflammation can ease this pain, because inflammation keeps stimulating the joint's pain receptors all the time — at rest, on movement and at night.
Can joint injections be done during pregnancy?
No: joint injections, including PRP and SVF, are contraindicated in pregnancy. Decisions on treating arthritis while pregnant are made only with a rheumatologist and an obstetrician together.
Can I get a second opinion on my tests and scans?
Yes — send us your X-rays, MRI, ultrasound or blood test results. A doctor reviews them free of charge and tells you whether your type of arthritis could suit regenerative treatment.
What happens if rheumatoid arthritis is not treated?
When left without treatment it can bring permanent joint deformity, loss of function, osteoporosis and damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys and other internal organs. To prevent these complications, it needs timely treatment.
City Medical Centre licences
Other services at our clinic
Arthritis treatment in Belgrade step by step
PRP and SVF can help reduce inflammation and pain and support the tissues inside the joint. For patients from Belgrade with systemic disease, they complement, but do not replace, care from a rheumatologist.
Most patients in Belgrade go home the same day and return to normal daily activity within a day or two. During the first week the joint may ache a little more — this is an expected reaction.
The cost of arthritis treatment depends on the joint, the type of arthritis and the method, so the price is set at the consultation. For patients from Belgrade, the first consultation and review of your scans are free. Leave your name and phone number to book.
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